Here Review: A Flawed Experiment in Time with Tom Hanks & Robin Penn

by

As a film enthusiast with over three decades of movie-watching under my belt, I must say that Robert Zemeckis continues to push the boundaries of cinematic technology and storytelling. His latest venture, “Here”, is no exception. The film, set to hit theaters in November 2024, follows the life journey of Tom Hanks and Robin Wright’s characters, Margaret and Richard, from their teenage years to old age, all under one roof.

In recent times, an unusual number of movies filmed in one continuous shot, often referred to as “one-shot films” or “oners,” have gained popularity in mainstream cinema. Examples include “One Shot,” “Boiling Point,” “1917,” and “Birdman.” The use of such cinematic techniques has now become common practice. However, is there a movie that consists of only one frame? That’s where the challenge lies. Robert Zemeckis, an Academy Award winner for “Forrest Gump,” has reunited with his team from that Tom Hanks and Robin Wright film for “Here,” a daring new endeavor in filmmaking format that is as mainstream as it gets. Despite its unique premise, the movie seems to miss the mark on both originality and execution. It’s an unusual, bold attempt that ultimately falls short.

The controversy surrounding the use of de-aging on Hanks and Wright in this film might stir up the age-old AI debate during award season. Furthermore, the narrative seems rather despairing and limited within a single frame tale. However, Wright’s heartfelt and captivating performance could sway viewers this season, while Tom Hanks delivers another solid performance, though his portrayal of a weary father in this film may not rank among his most beloved roles from his extensive repertoire of memorable performances.

Charting a Plot of Land Through Time

Movie enthusiasts keeping tabs on Zemeckis’ latest project might have caught wind of the unique aspect of “Here”. Notably, the majority of the film is presented in a fixed 16×9 frame, a technique that becomes apparent as we journey through time and generations, exploring the lives of various people who inhabit the same small, personal space, as suggested by the teaser trailer.

Similar to the timeless masterpieces such as Stanley Kubrick’s “2001: A Space Odyssey” and Terrence Malick’s “The Tree of Life,” the screenplay by Zemeckis and Eric Roth takes us on a journey far back in time, even to the era when dinosaurs ruled the Earth. This was before a planet-shattering disaster erased their existence. It promises an exciting beginning to the unfolding drama, with a pre-credits scene that serves as a metaphorical prologue, depicting events within the household across the vast expanse of the universe.

In a manner reminiscent of Malick’s timeless masterpiece, “Here” primarily focuses on its main narrative involving Hanks and Wright, a couple who first crossed paths as teenagers and subsequently spent most of their lives residing in the film’s namesake house. Zemeckis skillfully preserves a consistent narrative flow throughout – even with an audible musical score that could potentially be off-putting for contemporary cinema enthusiasts – by intermittently inserting additional stories of individuals who lived in the house at different moments, including:

  • An Indigenous couple (Joel Oulette and Dannie McCallum) welcoming a baby before Europe’s arrival in the New World.
  • Former President Benjamin Franklin’s son William (Daniel Betts) and his family.
  • The wise-cracking inventor of the recliner (David Fynn) and his adoring wife (Ophelia Lovibond).
  • An ambitious early 20th-century airplane pilot (Gwilym Lee) and his perpetually concerned housewife (Michelle Dockery).
  • A well-to-do Black family (Nicholas Pinnock, Nikki Amuka-Bird, and Cache Vanderpuye) and their family-status housekeeper (Anya Marco-Harris) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Another Daring Zemeckis Experiment

Additionally, we find Margaret (Wright) and Richard (Hanks). Their hardened war veteran father Al (Paul Bettany) harbors disdain towards Richard for becoming a parent so young, which dashed any aspirations he had of pursuing a career as an artist. On the other hand, Richard’s nurturing mother Rose (Kelly Reilly) remains encouraging, and they all opt to live together in the central house, leading to a mix of successes and challenges.

The relationship between Richard and Margaret spans the full spectrum of married life, from joyful moments to difficult trials such as love, sorrow, money troubles, professional setbacks, parental responsibilities, dealing with in-laws, boredom, and much more. Despite its emotional depth, the charming duo of Hanks & Wright continues to captivate, making it seem odd that Sony didn’t release this heartwarming home-theater movie closer to Christmas, even though there are moments that may tug at your heartstrings. However, who knows the ins and outs of Hollywood decision-making?

De-Aging Tom Hanks and Robin Penn

Given that the story of Hank and Wright unfolds during their teenage years, it’s no surprise how the ‘Here’ team portrays them in their youth. Robert Zemeckis, a pioneer in digital technology for over three decades, has faced criticism on his use of this technology, particularly concerning the infamous uncanny valley, as seen from ‘The Polar Express’ to 2009’s ‘A Christmas Carol’.

In this setting, Zemeckis emphasizes his team’s impressive digital de-aging techniques by bringing the actors close to the camera at times, as if inviting viewers to appreciate their work. This approach could potentially provoke debate among some viewers, although it might be less jarring compared to the digitally de-aged Robert De Niro in “The Irishman.

Too Many People Say Too Little

As a movie enthusiast, I must say that while the overall cast delivered commendable performances, some of the side plots felt somewhat incomplete and lacked the depth they deserved. The inventor and his wife, who were quite intriguing characters, left me yearning for more of their story. Their dynamic was so entertaining and heartwarming that I couldn’t help but imagine an entire sitcom dedicated to their lives without children and their journey to success.

Once more, Zemeckis embarks on another bold exploration, and experiments involving individual frames and swift transitions are bound to have their pros and cons. Maybe Zemeckis wants us to concentrate more on the overall concept, as the solitary living room showcased symbolizes a repository of memories in various forms. It appears that life’s richness can be found without venturing far from home.

Starting from TriStar Pictures, the movie titled “Here” is set to hit the big screens nationwide on the 1st of November, after making its global debut at the AFI FEST 2024 in Los Angeles.

Read More

2024-10-29 00:03